Unsmoked Cheese Research Articles

Concentrations of Essential Trace and Toxic Elements Associated with Production and Manufacturing Processes in Galician Cheese.

The objective of this study was to determine the trace element composition and the toxic metal residues in Galician cow’s milk cheese produced in different systems (artisan, industrial, and organic). Fourteen elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) were determined in 58 representative samples of Galician cheeses by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The toxic elements were present at low concentrations, similar to those reported for other unpolluted geographical areas. The essential elements were also within the normal range in cheeses. There were no statistically significant differences between smoked and unsmoked cheeses for any of the elements. Chemometric analyses (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) revealed that the industrial cheeses produced in Galicia using the milk from intensive dairy farms were different, in terms of elemental content, from artisan and organic cheeses, in which the elemental contents were similar.

CHANGES IN SELECTED PARAMETERS OF STEAMED CHEESE DURING STORAGE

Parenica is a steamed, lightly smoked or unsmoked cheese wound into roll. The aim of this work was to evaluate selected microbiological and chemical parameters of smoked and unsmoked parenica cheeses from industrial and farm dairy after production and after 7 days of storage at 6 °C. Yeasts and molds, as an indicator of hygiene production conditions, were cultivated for 5 days on DRBC agar at 25 °C. The dry matter content was determined by drying to constant weight. Determination of NaCl was performed using the Chloride Analyzer 926. Counts of yeasts in unsmoked cheeses after production were comparable and reached average value 1.65 log CFU.g-1 from farm dairy and 1.57 log CFU.g-1 from industrial dairy. Yeasts weren´t detected in samples of smoked cheeses from the farm dairy, however their presence was found in 50% of smoked cheeses from industrial dairy with average value 2.67 log CFU.g-1. Average count of yeasts in unsmoked cheeses from the farm dairy after storage was 3.48 log CFU.g-1 and 2.04 log CFU.g-1 from industrial dairy (yeasts were present in 83.3% of cheeses). The molds appeared in cheeses only sporadically after storage. Dry matter content in all analyzed samples was in accordance with value declared by the producers. No samples of unsmoked parenica cheeses and only 33% of smoked parenica cheeses from farm dairy were in accordance with declared content NaCl (2%). 33% of the unsmoked cheeses and 25% of smoked cheeses from an industrial dairy were in accordance with declared data (NaCl 1.8%).

Comparison of electronic systems with sensory analysis for the quality evaluation of parenica cheese

The applicability of electronic systems for the quality evaluation of parenica cheese was investigated in fresh smoked and unsmoked cheeses and after seven days of storage. These data were then compared with sensory evaluation results. Fresh samples had stable colour profiles determined by the electronic eye, while the differences in brown colour intensity were confirmed by sensory evaluation. A significant difference in the aroma profiles of samples was recorded by the electronic nose in samples produced in February, April, December (unsmoked cheese) and September (smoked cheese). Based on sensory analysis results using the Wilcoxon nonparametric test, a significant difference was confirmed in February (smoked cheese) and March (unsmoked cheese), when stored cheese had a stronger aroma than fresh cheese (P < 0.05). The suitability of electronic nose and electronic eye for monitoring of parenica cheese quality was confirmed.

Fatty Acids Profile, Trans Isomers, and Lipid Quality Indices in Smoked and Unsmoked Cheeses and Cheese-Like Products.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fatty acid composition, including trans C18:1 and C18:2 isomers and the content of conjugated linoleic acid cis9trans11 C18:2 (CLA), in commercial smoked and unsmoked cheeses and cheese-like products available on the Polish market as well as to compare lipid quality indices in these products. The composition of fatty acids was determined with the gas chromatography method. The conducted study demonstrated that smoked and unsmoked cheeses as well as smoked and unsmoked cheese-like products were characterized by various contents of fatty acids and various lipid quality indices. The smoked and the unsmoked cheeses had significantly higher (p < 0.05) contents of saturated fatty acids (SFA), short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) than the smoked and the unsmoked cheese-like products. The monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) contents were the highest in unsmoked cheese-like products (39.29 ± 1.49% and 9.13 ± 0.33%, respectively). In smoked and unsmoked cheeses, MUFA were above 24% and PUFA were above 2.4%. The total content of trans C18:1 isomers was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the cheeses, but in the group of these isomers, trans10 + trans11 isomers were dominant. High levels of trans6–trans9 isomers (up to 2.92% of total fatty acid) were found in some of the samples of unsmoked cheese-like products, while their content in cheeses was lower. The lipid quality indices in cheeses and cheese-like products were varied. The smoked and the unsmoked cheeses were characterized by significantly higher (p < 0.05) values of the index of thrombogenicity (TI) and atherogenicity (AI) indices and significantly lower (p < 0.05) values of the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (HH) ratio.

Sensory profile of Parenica cheese varieties made from pasteurized cow's milk

Parenica is a steamed, lightly smoked or unsmoked cheese wounded into a roll made from pasteurized cow's milk, with characteristic pronounced fibrous structure of curd. The aim of this work was to set up the sensory profile of smoked and unsmoked parenica cheese varieties made from pasteurized cow's milk and changes in sensory descriptors during 14 days of storage period at the temperature of 4 ±2 °C. Descriptive analysis was carried out by 18 trained assessors, who used a vocabulary of 26 terms to quantitatively describe appearance, aroma, consistency and taste of the experimental samples and also these overall sensory parameters with acceptability. Assessors evaluated the intensity of each descriptor by assigning the score on a 10 points linear scale. Analysis of variance found significant differences between cheese varieties (p &lt;0.05) and the effect of storage period (p &lt;0.05) on sensory quality of experimental parenica cheese varieties. The analysis showed that each sample group in observed representative sensory attributes was significantly different (p &lt;0.05). Multiple factorial analysis showed in parenica cheese samples three selected components that explain more than 69% of the total variation in the dataset at the level of statistical significance p &lt;0.05.

Distribution and Health Hazards of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Egyptian Milk and Dairy-Based Products

In a market-basket study conducted in Cairo, Egypt, the most commonly consumed milk products were sampled and the contents of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed using gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer detector. The obtained data showed that the total amount of 13 PAHs was within the range of 1.3–8.2 µg/g. The results proved that the, highest mean levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in powdered milk (8.2 μg/g) followed by ultra-heat treatment milk and milk beverages (6.07 μg/g). The lowest level was detected in unsmoked cheese and yogurt (1.3 μg/g). Estimated daily intake (EDI) was used to estimate the carcinogenic risk. The total mean estimated daily intake for children in different age categories (1–10 years) was calculated with respect to benzo[a]pyrene, which ranged from 0.058 to 0.31 mg/day. The total mean value of EDI for the sum of seven carcinogenic PAHs in terms of benzo[a]pyrene ranged from 0.61 to 1.22 mg/day in all age categories. These results were higher than the critical limit set by the European Food Safety Authority. Therefore, there should be concerns regarding the effects of the consumption of different milk products on the local population.

Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Circassian cheese by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in traditional/industrial smoked and unsmoked Circassian cheeses available in Turkish markets were analysed using solid-phase extraction, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Mean levels of a total of 9 PAHs in smoked traditional and industrial Circassian cheeses were 19.6 and 6.73μgkg−1, while levels in unsmoked traditional and industrial cheeses were 0.77 and 0.49μgkg−1, respectively. The dominant individual PAHs found were naphthalene and acenaphthene. Benzo[a]pyrene, a marker compound representing carcinogenic PAHs, was found in 90% and 30% of traditional smoked and unsmoked Circassian cheeses, 52% and 24% of industrial smoked and unsmoked cheeses, respectively. Correlation statistical analysis showed that benzo[a]pyrene was a good marker for total 9 PAHs in Circassian cheese samples (rB[a]P/sum of 9 PAHs=0.816, p<0.01) as well as the best marker for 5 carcinogenic PAHs (rB[a]P/carcinogenic PAHs=0.904, p<0.01). Risk assessment conducted using daily intakes of sum of 9 PAH levels found in both traditional and industrial smoked Circassian cheese samples showed high risk compared with unsmoked cheeses.

Influence of Water-Soluble Nitrogen and Free Amino Groups on Sensory Attributes of Smoked Mozzarella Cheese

The smoking of cheeses contributes to significant changes in their color, aroma, and also content of free amino groups. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in sensory attributes of smoked and unsmoked mozzarella cheese during storage for four weeks. It was found that inner layers of both cheeses were equally light despite large differences in their outer layers (ΔL*: 26.33 for smoked and ΔL*: 5.33 for unsmoked). Color of the edge layer in smoked cheese was more saturated than in unsmoked cheese (ΔC* = 17.47). The edge layer in smoked cheese after storage became more saturated (ΔC* = 5.12). Desirability of smoked cheese was 1.5-fold greater than that of unsmoked cheese. Smoking contributed to the disappearance of cooked aroma (by 32%), whey, and cowy/phenolic aromas and intensified the perceptibility of acid taste (8.5 times). Changes were higher in smoked mozzarella because of its higher proteolysis susceptibility.

Textural properties of selected Slovak cow and sheep products measured by texturometer

Sensorial assessment of selected brands of Slovak cow and sheep products, produced on farm with self-production of cow and sheep milk, was realized. The farm is situated in the North of east Slovakia. Breeding of dairy cows and sheep was realized under conditions applying animal welfare, where feedstuff was provided from self-production. By means of texture analyzer (Texture Analyser TA.XT Plus), textural properties (hardness, springiness, cohensivness and chewiness) of sheep feta cheese, smoked sheep cheese, unsmoked cow cheese strings, smoked cow cheese sticks, pickled sheep feta cheese and spicy pickled sheep feta cheese, were assessed. Texture analyzer is used for texture measurement and assessment of physical properties of products, as well as for material testing by means of pressure and pull tests. Textural properties were assessed, when strength, distance and time were recorded and projected by means of fully integrated Texture Exponent 32-bit software. The measurement was realized by test, when analyzer arm with selected sensor moved down, penetrated and compressed food product and moved to default position thereafter. Statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were detected at hardness by means of statistical results evaluation obtained from texturometer measurement of cow and sheep products samples. Sheep feta cheese was compared to smoked sheep cheese, unsmoked cow cheese strings, smoked cow cheese sticks, pickled sheep feta cheese and spicy pickled sheep feta cheese. Statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were confirmed, when we compared smoked sheep cheese to spicy pickled sheep feta cheese, when we compared unsmoked cow cheese strings to pickled sheep feta cheese and spicy pickled sheep feta cheese and by comparison of smoked cow cheese sticks to pickled sheep feta cheese and spicy pickled sheep feta cheese. Statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were confirmed at springiness, when we compared sheep feta cheese to unsmoked cow cheese strings, smoked cow cheese sticks, pickled sheep feta cheese and spicy pickled sheep feta cheese and by comparison of smoked sheep cheese to unsmoked cow cheese strings, smoked cow cheese sticks, pickled sheep feta cheese and spicy pickled sheep feta cheese. Statistically significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were confirmed at cohensivness, when we compared sheep feta cheese to smoked sheep cheese, when we compared smoked sheep cheese to smoked cow cheese sticks and pickled sheep feta cheese, by comparison of smoked sheep cheese to spicy pickled sheep feta cheese and by comparison of unsmoked cow cheese strings to smoked cow cheese sticks. Differences at chewiness were statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05), when we compared sheep feta cheese to smoked sheep cheese, unsmoked cow cheese strings, smoked cow cheese sticks, pickled sheep feta cheese and spicy pickled sheep feta cheese, when we compared smoked sheep cheese to spicy pickled sheep feta cheese, by comparison of unsmoked cow cheese strings to pickled sheep feta cheese and spicy pickled sheep feta cheese and by comparison of smoked cow cheese sticks to pickled sheep feta cheese and spicy pickled sheep feta cheese. Based on obtained analysis results were confirmed, that selected brands of cow and sheep products are characterized by different textural properties. These properties make assessed brands of Slovak cow and sheep product specific, which needs to make provision at quality assessment.

The effect of smoking on changes in functional attributes of Mozzarella cheese

Smoking of cheeses significantly modifies not only sensory attributes, but also determines the form of their further utilisation, packaging method and shelf life. The aim of thIS study was to evaluate functional characteristics of smoked and unsmoked Mozzarella cheeses subjected to 4-week storage. It was found that smoked cheese contained 7% less water than unsmoked cheese. Meltability of smoked cheese before storage was 2 times smaller than that of unsmoked cheese, but after 4 weeks, meltability was 21% greater. Smoked cheese not subjected to storage was 2.2 times harder than unsmoked cheese. During storage, hardness of smoked cheese decreased 4.6-fold, while that of unsmoked cheese only 1.1-fold. Storage time had an increase in stretchability of unsmoked and smoked cheeses by 4.2 and 14.9%, respectively. Keywords: Mozzarella, meltability, texture

Key Odorants of Oscypek, a Traditional Polish Ewe's Milk Cheese

The unique flavor of Oscypek, a Polish ewe's milk smoked cheese, is described as slightly sour, piquant, salted, and smoked. In this paper with the application of gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) and combination of aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) 20 potent odorants of this cheese have been identified within the flavor dilution factor (FD) range of 4-2048. Among them, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol, 4-methylphenol, and butanoic acid showed the highest FD factors. Quantification results based on labeled standard addition followed by calculation of odor activity values (OAV) of 13 compounds with the highest FD factors revealed that 11 compounds were present at concentrations above their odor threshold values and therefore mostly contribute to the overall aroma of smoked ewe's milk cheese. Six of those compounds were represented by phenolic derivatives, with the highest OAV for 2-methoxyphenol (1280). Analysis of key odorants of an unsmoked cheese sample showed that the smoking process had a fundamental influence on Oscypek aroma formation.

Contamination of cheese by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in traditional smoking. Influence of the position in the smokehouse on the contamination level of smoked cheese

This paper sets out to determine the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination degree of a traditionally smoked cheese: Herreño cheese, which comes from one of the Canary Islands. Its PAH profile is thoroughly studied by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in SIM mode, and compared with that of an unsmoked cheese. Furthermore, a parameter not previously studied is evaluated, namely the influence of the position of the individual cheeses in the smokehouse on their PAH contamination level. Heavy PAH, among which are included most of the carcinogens, are very scarce and their concentrations low. In fact, benz[a]anthracene, together with chrysene+triphenylene, are the only heavy PAH detected in all of the smoked samples studied. The concentration of benzo[a]pyrene, detected only in 1 of the samples, is below the limit established in Spain for the rind of smoked cheese. In contrast, high concentrations of light PAH have been found, especially of naphthalene and its alkyl derivatives, whose effect on human health is not yet well established. The results derived from the analysis of the PAH profile suggest the potential usefulness of certain ratios between some pairs of PAH (phenanthrene/anthracene, naphthalene/acenaphthylene) to provide information on the PAH contamination source. Furthermore, differences have been found, depending on the position of the cheeses in the smokehouse, those placed in the path followed by the smoke being more contaminated. Therefore, the findings of this study could help in improving the design of smokehouses, to decrease the PAH contamination degree of smoked cheese.

Influence of traditional smoking on the triglyceride composition during the ripening of Idiazabal cheese

The influence of traditional smoking on the triglyceride (TG) composition of Idiazabal cheese during ripening was studied using HPLC. The partition numbers (PNs) of the TGs ranged between 22 and 53, the groupings of TG peaks with PN values of 36, 34, and 38 being the main contributors. Statistically significant differences between the smoked and the unsmoked cheeses were recorded during the ripening period. Smoking had a significant effect on certain groups of TGs at different ripening times and no effect on others. The differences in the TG profiles of the cheeses were the result of differing levels of lipolytic activity, which was heightened by smoking.

Changes in free fatty acids during the ripening of Idiazabal cheese: influence of brining time and smoking

SummaryThe effect of brining time and smoking on the free fatty acid content of Idiazabal cheese during ripening was examined. The main free fatty acids considered underwent at least some increase during the first stage of ripening before day 90 and tended to level off around a constant value towards the end of the ripening period. There were significant differences in free fatty acid levels during ripening among cheeses with different brining times and between smoked and unsmoked cheeses. Brining time and smoking exerted marked effects on lipolytic activity during cheese ripening, depending upon the free fatty acid involved and ripening time. In general, brining and smoking led to increases in free fatty acid levels at the end of the ripening period; the different behaviour of butyric acid may be due to a specific lipolytic activity.